As the curtains are drawn at the end of the month, nothing seemed to have changed. The number of cases in my country seems to rise at an alarming rate and the condition do not seem to relax, but, severe.
A month ago, we were in a fix as to how Ramadan will be spent, and now we ponder over ways to honour our Eid festival.
Commonalty ciphering means to break the shell and muster, while the perceptive ministry, speeded up and declared a 24-hour lockdown right on the festive day. So, curtailed is EID to our homes and backyards.
Withal, Eid deluged with blessings, serenity, good sleep, family time, cooking, praying and deepened gratitude is anticipated.
Eid – Ul – Fitr, celebrated after a month full of fasting from dawn to dusk. By fasting and serving the purpose of the holy month, we are accoladed in the form of Eid.
30 days of fasting, customs being observed while bevelling our line of daily routine towards faith and sanctity, embody marvellous perks.
Foremost, to discern the ache of person, enduring his pain is fundamental. Thus, fasting eminently bolsters us with the required understanding.
Repudiating the driblets and the crumbs gush the sense of reaching out.
Hence, fasting intensifies the empathy towards the needy leading to an escalation in charity and donations.
Secondly, fasting is paired with worship, prayers and invocations. Late-night prayers (Qayam-ul-Layl), Qayam refers to standing, Layl denotes night. So, standing in the night for prayers has premium benefits.
Research shows that one reason staying up all night worked was because sleep inhibits the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) that helps control our metabolism and, indirectly, our levels of energy. An estimated 25% to 35% of depressed patients have low TSH levels. Recent research has shown that while sleep inhibits the release of TSH, staying awake through the night and the early morning hours boosts it. This “new” scientific research is completely following the habit of the prophet (saws), which was to sleep shortly after Eisha prayer (by 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm), and wake in the very early morning hours (by 2:00 am – 3:00 am) again to pray.
Many health benefits are backed up with mental peace, serenity, tranquillity and calmness. When a soul is calm and at peace, he loves the life he is blessed with, hence increasing him in gratitude.
Thirdly, fasting has proved to be associated with a wide range of potential health benefits, including weight loss, as well as improved blood sugar control, heart health, brain function and cancer prevention. Also, fasting can help lower cholesterol, improve glucose control, reduce liver fat and improve blood pressure. Studies have also shown that fasting, which leads to caloric restriction, increases the lifespan of even healthy people.
While fasting, taking short naps are also said to be rewarded.
Apart from this, Muslims also practice the famous “5:2 whole day fasting” along with the other ways of intermittent fasting all round the year.
Prophet Mohammad SAW used to fast every week on Mondays and Thursdays, and now science has been proving its health, mental and emotional benefits.
Fourth, another obligation during the month is reciting as much Quran (holy book of Muslims) as possible. Surprisingly, even recitation and memorization of the Quran gets numerous gain with it.
“And We send down of the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.” (Al-Quran, 17:82)
Science has proved that by reducing our brainwave frequencies to alpha and theta, we can enjoy loads of benefits:
- We are more spiritually connected, and more at peace. This makes us enjoy life more.
- We are healthier due to lower stress levels
- We can control our mind to focus completely on the present
- We can remain calm even while under pressure
- We can accelerate our learning
- We can go into the state of deep relaxation, which is important to our health and emotional wellbeing
And the mind that is operating at alpha waves is also linked with creative and lateral thinking. Lateral thinking is the ability to look at a problem from many angles instead of tackling it head-on. Additionally, an alpha level mind can memorise up to 1500 words a day, as is the case with small children.
We know that mediation, which the recitation of the Quran is similar to, helps us to bring down our brain waves to this beneficial alpha and theta waves.
The conclusion of the research shows that reciting just a page of the Quran reduces our brain waves to alpha, thereby leading to a rested and calmed mind. Subhanallah!
Along with all the other benefits, the major benefits above bring emotional stability, helps practice patience, inculcates empathy and sympathy, draws each one closer to their loved ones and community. Erases our differences brings all to a common ground.
As the month-end gets closer, we are at the benefitting end at all aspects of Ramadan, yet we are rewarded with festive days of EID-Ul-Fitr.
However, before the night of Eid – Ul – Fitr, global Muslims are obliged to buy basic commodities, groceries and goods; distribute among the poor of the locality (Fitra), assuring an ecstatic Eid celebration not stays limited to your homes. However, Zakat due can be paid out before the next Ramadan arrives.
As considered the holiest month out of all the months, it also is a disciplinary month for all the believers. The Muslims all over the world observe and adhere to the obligations of the month. A training period for all followers with a habit-forming routine to be followed all around the year.
The believers are expected to pursue this constant behaviour throughout the year. Sadly, we struggle for consistency and persistence, keeping it limited only to this month.
This year on wards, doing my best to follow the same practice throughout the year and as you know the benefits as well, hope you will too.
Glittercut.com wishes its phenomenal virtual family a Wonderful, Blessed and an Auspicious Eid with your loved ones, Eid Mubarak.
#stayhome #staysafe
Do add in your viewpoints and feedback on the benefits and perks of Ramadan in the comments below.
